Jan 16 Wheels off Brexit

UK new car sales saw their biggest drop for eight years in 2017, sliding 5.7% due to uncertainty over diesel charges and declining consumer confidence since Brexit, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

This year has been a very volatile year and lacklustre economic growth means that we expect a further weakening in the market for 2018, the association says.

On a more positive note, 60 new models toting next generation technology – from systems that take over the driving in traffic jams, to those that detect potential collisions with pedestrians – are set to make showroom debuts in 2018.

There was good news for the alternative fuels market, which grew 34.8%. A record number of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell cars were registered, resulting in the sector’s highest-ever annual market share of 4.7%.